A female reporter was allegedly robbed live on air while reporting on the World Cup in Qatar.
Dominique Metzger of Todo Noticias, a television channel in Argentina, was broadcasting from Corniche, Doha, when she had her belongings – including her money and documents – stolen from her handbag.
As the reporter later insisted, she was likely pickpocketed while dancing with the crowd in front of the camera.
Though the exact moment the alleged robbery took place was not captured in the footage, Metzger’s handbag could be seen hanging off her shoulder while several men were dancing around her.
“I had my small bag on me with all the things that one needs, my wallet, the keys to our hotel room, some napkins,” she said.
“I was dancing with the crowd and I’m convinced that it was at that moment when someone opened the bag zipper and took my wallet.”
Recalling the experience, she added: “I didn’t realize at that moment, you know you’re live on air, with music and crowds around you, and I was focused on you talking to me too. So I wasn’t paying attention.
“After I finish my live report, I wanted to take my wallet to buy a water bottle and then I realized I didn’t have it.”
Following the robbery, Metzger reported the incident to the police who promised to identify the thieves and, to her surprise, gave her the option to choose how to punish the thief.
“They told me, ‘What do you want justice to do about this? We will find the wallet… We have cameras everywhere, high-tech cameras and we will find the thief with face detection technology. What do you want justice system to do to them when they are found?’” she recalled the officials telling her.
“I told them I just want my wallet back, I won’t be making the decision for the justice system.”
To combat theft and enforce discipline, Qatar has installed one of the most advanced surveillance systems in the world that includes thousands of high-resolution cameras not only in and around the stadiums but also in the streets and elsewhere around the cities.
The surveillance system is aided by facial recognition technology and a NASA-style control center.
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